Stella Oduah’s Trial Postponed to November 14 in Alleged N7.9bn Fraud Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) regarding their alleged involvement in a N7.9 billion fraud case.

Originally scheduled for October 17, 2023, the court has now set a new date for the trial, which is November 14. The reason cited for the postponement was the court’s inability to accommodate the trial on the originally scheduled date.

Notably, Stella Oduah was absent from the court proceedings, and no explanation was given for her non-appearance. However, her legal representation, as well as that of the Federal Government, was present during the court session.

Oduah and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation face a 25-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020, which includes allegations of conspiracy, money laundering, and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with a commercial bank. The charges specify various transactions that are suspected to be linked to proceeds from unlawful activities.

For instance, one of the charges against CCECC reads, “That you China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation CCECC, between March 31 and April 1, 2014, at Abuja directly transferred N500M from your account No. 0023880295 with Guaranty Trust Bank to a private banking nominee account no. 2024414450 domicile with First Bank which money you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit; fraud and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 15(2) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and punishable under section 15(4) of the same Act.”

In a similar vein, another charge against CCECC accuses them of transferring N868.4 million between March 5 and May 30, 2014, from their Zenith Bank account to a Private Banking Nominee account, with the funds being reasonably suspected to be connected to unlawful activities.

It is important to note that Stella Oduah, along with eight other defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were arraigned on July 21, 2023. The case continues to attract significant attention as it unfolds, and the rescheduled trial date of November 14, 2023, now awaits further legal proceedings.